Last year, the Chicago Blackhawks won three of four games against the Colorado Avalanche en route to winning the Stanley Cup championship. Last night, it looked like the Blackhawks were going to pick up right where they left off, scoring against the Avalanche less than five minutes into the game at the Pepsi Center. But the Avs’ young players carried through on their potential and led the team to a 4-3 overtime win.

“You don’t have to get up when it’s the home opener and you’re playing against the Blackhawks,” Paul Stastny tells The Denver Post.

Stastny certainly didn’t need any help with his motivation last night. He scored two goals, including the overtime winner. Joining him in the scoring column were second-year players Matt Duchene and Chris Stewart (full scoring summary via NHL.com).

The sellout crowd at the Pepsi Center last night will have to wait a while for their next chance to see live hockey at home. The Avs play the next five games on the road, returning to the Pepsi Center on October 21 to take on the San Jose Sharks (via NHL.com).